§ 26.01.020. Collective bargaining.

A.

Nothing contained in this Chapter or in the rules shall deny, limit or infringe upon the right of any employee or any exclusive bargaining representative or upon any collective bargaining agreement or the authority and duty of the County to engage in collective bargaining with the exclusive bargaining representative over matters which are terms and conditions of employment. No collective bargaining shall be negotiated which annuls or modifies the principles of merit and fitness.

B.

Upon expiration of a collective bargaining agreement, where the employees within a bargaining unit continue to be represented by an exclusive bargaining representative, all terms and conditions of employment set forth in this Chapter and the expired collective bargaining agreement shall continue in full force and effect as well as the existing levels of any and all other insurance coverage for a period of three hundred sixty (360) days covering the following:

1.

Levels of salaries;

2.

Job classifications;

3.

Union security;

4.

Medical insurance;

5.

Life insurance;

6.

Vacations;

7.

Sick leave benefits;

8.

Jury duty leave;

9.

Holidays;

10.

Funeral leave;

11.

Leaves of absence;

12.

Hours of work and premium rates;

13.

Seniority;

14.

Overtime;

15.

Grievance procedure; and

16.

Arbitration and union representation and union stewards.

However, such listed conditions of the collective bargaining agreement remain subject to the obligation of bargaining in good faith imposed by 19 Del. C. Chs. 13 (Public Employment Relations Act) and 16 (Police Officers' and Firefighters' Employment Relations Act) and any of such conditions may be negotiated at the request of the representatives of either the County or the exclusive bargaining unit and may be changed in any manner mutually agreeable to the parties and consistent with applicable law. Continuation of these terms and conditions of employment during the hiatus period is contingent upon the obligation of the exclusive bargaining agent to negotiate in good faith with the designated representatives of the County throughout the duration of negotiation for a successor contract. Notwithstanding continuing negotiations, for any work action or stoppage, slow down or other disruption of County services, the extension of benefits provided under this subsection shall be null and void.

(Ord. No. 98-047, § 1(26-20), 5-12-1998; Ord. No. 10-113, § 1(Exh. A), 1-18-2011)